A bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) that would modernize the nation’s precipitation data and help communities prepare for extreme weather was signed into law by President Joe Biden.
The senator noted that flooding puts lives and property at risk, causing billions of dollars in economic losses every year.
“One threat from flooding is dam failure, and in Mississippi, there are hundreds of state-regulated dams with a high hazard potential,” Sen. Wicker said. “Forty-two of these dams have failed, and nine others have been drained. With this important legislation signed into law, dam control managers can get the data they need to improve dam safety and protect Americans.”
Sen. Wicker introduced the bipartisan Providing Research and Estimates of Changes in Precipitation (PRECIP) Act, S. 3053, in October 2021, along with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ). The companion legislation to S. 3053 was introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) as H.R. 1437. Biden signed H.R. 1437 into law on Dec. 16. U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) was an original cosponsor of the bill.
The legislation will update precipitation data by providing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with funding to conduct future research. The NOAA will specifically study ongoing changes in precipitation that will help local governments better prepare for flooding and to work with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to complete a study on the best practices for estimating precipitation.
The PRECIP Act is supported by Pew Charitable Trusts, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO), and the American Public Works Association (APWA), among other groups.